Flat tow failure

[Fordified1]

When flat towing my old '65 Mustang with C4 auto trans, to avoid possible issues when going longer distance, I usually unbolted the rear driveshaft where it mated to the diff and tied it up. Given all the Bronco flat tow issues, I'd probably do something like that to be on the safe side.

On a related note, I wonder how well these driveshaft disconnect kits work? Apparently some people use them to flat tow otherwise untowable vehicles. Not sure I'd want to count on the assembly holding up off-road though.

Since I don’t have the Advanced 4wd system, I’m more confident that I’ll be fine flat towing. I used to disconnect the driveshaft on my excursion to flat tow, but that gets extremely old.
The driveshaft disconnects do work, though I wouldn’t want that on a Bronco that sees anything more than pavement. And they are not cheap if you price the parts AND labor. And then you still have to trust that the front axle disconnects are functioning properly.

I’d love a manual shift transfer case and front hubs option for what I do.

I WANT @Ford TO ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE AND FIX IT! And WARRANTY ALL THOSE FLAT TOW RELATED FAILURES THEY DENIED!

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[NC_Pinz]

Since I don’t have the Advanced 4wd system, I’m more confident that I’ll be fine flat towing. I used to disconnect the driveshaft on my excursion to flat tow, but that gets extremely old.
The driveshaft disconnects do work, though I wouldn’t want that on a Bronco that sees anything more than pavement. And they are not cheap if you price the parts AND labor. And then you still have to trust that the front axle disconnects are functioning properly.

I’d love a manual shift transfer case and front hubs option for what I do.

I WANT @Ford TO ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE AND FIX IT! And WARRANTY ALL THOSE FLAT TOW RELATED FAILURES THEY DENIED!

You do realize that the originator of this thread has a base model, so no advanced transfer case.

 

[Fordified1]

You do realize that the originator of this thread has a base model, so no advanced transfer case.
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Looks to be a Sasquatch so it does have the Advanced transfer case.

 

[Shregg]

Another full time traveler here. I sold my 97 LX450 last summer and purchased a 22 Badlands Sasquatch. I had the flat tow setup using all BlueOx gear both on the tow rig and on the bronco. It came with a battery tender and in cab monitor system. Monitors battery etc. Typically we do 3-400 miles at a wack. I flat towed our Lexus approximately 20K miles with no issue. So far we have successfully flat towed the bronco aprox 1000 miles. After reading this im a tad concerned.. May have to get that Lexus back... I would not drive a J**p ifi was paid to do so. And Toyota no longer makes a flat towable car let alone a car as capable as the Bronco. This is terrific info. Ford assured me flat towing is safe and will not cause damage.

 

[Mosnowman]

HOPE SOMEONE FINDS THIS HELPFUL - I WILL POST ON ALL THREADS BELOW - WORK IN PROGRESS

Flat Tow Transmission Failures – as of 02/22/23 – A work in progress – May have missed someone

Thread 1 – (06/03/22) Bronco won’t go back to drive after disengaging tow [2] – Checked 01/18/23

Thread 2 – (10/28/22) Neutral Tow / Transmission Problem [12] – Need to go back through – Long tread

Thread 3 – (07/09/23) Ford claims flat towing our 4 mo. old Bronco destroyed the transmission (not covering under warranty [14] – Need to go back through – Long tread

Thread 4 – (08/08/23) Flat tow won’t disengage [1] – Checked 01/18/23

Thread 5 – (08/16/23) Flat tow failure [3] – Checked 01/18/23

Thread 6 - (11/18/23) Flat tow failure (2) [1] – Checked 01/18/2

Thread 7 – (08/28/23) Bronco Raptor Transmission Troubles Anyone? [3] – Checked 01/18/23

----------------------------------------------------------

1) @Rgarrison58 – Thread 1 – 6/3/22 – Transmission Failure – Ford WILL cover

2) @Bad Sas – Thread 2 – 10/28/22 – Transmission issue – No resolution posted

3) @Blue Bulldog – Thread 2 – 4/12/23 – Transmission failed – Ford will NOT cover - Suing

4) @GddyupGG – Thread 1/2 – 4/19/23 – Transmission failed – Ford will NOT cover – Insurance WILL cover

5) @G6Bronco – Thread 4/5/3 – (08/16/23) – Transmission failed – Ford will NOT cover – Hired attorneys

6) @Bukin67 – Thread 7 – (08/28/23 – Transmission failed – Ford will NOT cover

7) @aknavy – Thread 2 – (08/21/23) – Transmission failed – Ford DID cover

8) @Lisa Aiudi – Thread 3 – (09/09/23 – Transmission failure – Ford will NOT cover

9) @delynn.gibson – Thread 4 – (09/21/23) – Stuck in tow mode – Trase electric motor failed – Ford will cover

10) @Peter Cole – Thread 6 – (11/18/23) – Transmission, Tcase, Oil cooler failed, Ford will NOT cover

I sincerely feel for those that have experienced this. Obviously if these failures happen to you, it totally sucks. With that said, I also have to consider the total number of vehicles out there as one other number to consider. Of course not everyone is flat towing, so those numbers are not completely relevant either. In 2023 Ford sold 127,476 Broncos. I have no idea how many of that number flat tow. If only 10% flat tow, that would be over 12,000 Broncos being flat towed. The numbers posted above cite only 10 Bronco failures. Again, I understand how pissed off I would be if it eventually happens to me, but looking at these numbers, it doesn't appear to me to be an epidemic problem from 2023 to date. For the record, I also may be trying to convince myself it's not that epidemic since I am about to set up my 2.7 Badlands for flat tow purposes. Am I missing something? I don't want to flat tow an ugly Jeep.

 

[73Corvetteman]

I sincerely feel for those that have experienced this. Obviously if these failures happen to you, it totally sucks. With that said, I also have to consider the total number of vehicles out there as one other number to consider. Of course not everyone is flat towing, so those numbers are not completely relevant either. In 2023 Ford sold 127,476 Broncos. I have no idea how many of that number flat tow. If only 10% flat tow, that would be over 12,000 Broncos being flat towed. The numbers posted above cite only 10 Bronco failures. Again, I understand how pissed off I would be if it eventually happens to me, but looking at these numbers, it doesn't appear to me to be an epidemic problem from 2023 to date. For the record, I also may be trying to convince myself it's not that epidemic since I am about to set up my 2.7 Badlands for flat tow purposes. Am I missing something? I don't want to flat tow an ugly Jeep.

Initially I was very concerned about this. Looked into all kinds of possible solutions. Haven't come up with anything yet other than check lists and videos.
Dgorset talked me off the ledge with similar reasoning.
I love the Bronco other than this issue. So I'm going to be carefully documenting the neutral tow procedure and hope for the best. Good luck!

 

[Fordified1]

What about taping one of those remote temperature monitors to the transmission housing? Might give peice of mind. Can set an over-temp alarm on some of them I believe. Damage might already be done by the time the temp rises though, IDK.

 

[73Corvetteman]

What about taping one of those remote temperature monitors to the transmission housing? Might give peice of mind. Can set an over-temp alarm on some of them I believe. Damage might already be done by the time the temp rises though, IDK.

I though that too. By the time your heating things up friction damage has already occurred.

 

[Fordified1]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/flat-tow-failure-file-a-complaint-with-nhtsa.100827/

 

[adam1991]

is it time for a poll? taking numbers of failures while admonishing everyone "don't tell us if you haven't had a failure!!!"?

 

[Fordified1]

is it time for a poll? taking numbers of failures while admonishing everyone "don't tell us if you haven't had a failure!!!"?

I think there has already been a poll and there are definitely several threads. I believe that most that had a failure got rid of their Bronco and don’t come back here, many only came here once to report their failure.
Search flat tow (titles only) and you’ll have plenty of reading to do.

 

[Pilgrim]

Just flat-towed 1500 miles several weeks ago with 2023 wildtrack. No issues at all. Have Demco stay n play hooked up. Some brake adjustments, and I guess luckily I made it. Went step by step with printed instructions I got off of g6 forum….

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